Front Street Crossing already has its regulars, who gathered Thursday for their first Christmas dinner in two shifts.

The cafe was set with holiday decor for about three dozen diners per session.

Server Polly Judd didn’t deck the halls, she decorated herself with a silver garland tiara, green bows on her red antlers and a poinsettia blouse.

A foursome seated around one of the tables included retired teachers Gert Jurgensen and Camille Briegel, who directs the handbell choir at First United Methodist Church; Joan Gaideski, who worked in the office at Central Middle School; and Nancy McKay.

They normally hit the Cass County Council on Aging’s Dowagiac home at 227 S. Front St. three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

They exercise, then converse over coffee in the cafe.

Bill Martin, 89, the former Silver Creek Township supervisor, plays bingo on Mondays and Wednesdays.

“I had never played bingo,” said Martin, who retired from the Internal Revenue Service, “but I used to work it for Knights of Columbus,” when the Catholic fraternal organization offered it.

“It kills a couple of hours, which I would sleep in front of my television, otherwise,” he said, with his favorites being the history and military channels.